Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 535: The End of the Road (Part )

Under Bolo's tough demands, a large number of Han officials and their families were driven away. Bolo knew that these people would definitely reveal their whereabouts to the Qian army, so Bolo took Fulin, Bumbutai and the remaining Qing troops and left the garrison.

Bolo led the Qing army in the vast mountains, their whereabouts were erratic, and they lacked food and clothing. Many people were infected with diseases due to fatigue and drinking raw water, and lost their lives due to lack of medicine.

These days, more and more Qing troops have come out to join Zhao Yongping. The increasing number of deserters has also created an atmosphere of despair among the Qing army.

The army was uneasy, even the servants who served Bumbutai could feel it, so Bumbutai once again asked Bolo if he had any way to turn the situation around.

However, Bolo still believed that the Qing Dynasty still had a chance. As long as the Qian Dynasty was hurt, then peace talks would be more beneficial to the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, Bolo meant to persist. As long as the Qian army could not wait any longer and the army entered the mountains, he would look for an opportunity to fight the enemy.

But after all this time of fleeing, Bumbutai had had enough of this kind of life and was truly exhausted. In her opinion, Bolo's words were just self-consolation.

Jirgalang thought so at the beginning. As a result, the Qian army would rather pay a greater price to completely destroy the Qing army. Now that the strength of the Qing army is not as good as Jirgalang, Bumbutai has already believed in his heart that if he continues to resist, the outcome will only be more miserable.

Therefore, Bumbutai spoke for the first time and said to Bolo: "General Qian is sharp, while our generals are old and tired. It is hopeless to fight again, which will only increase casualties. It is better to surrender and save the bloodline, so as not to overthrow the country and bring disaster to the royal family!"

Bolo was shocked when he heard this and hurriedly advised: "Empress Dowager, although the Qian Dynasty is powerful, if our army can gather its strength and wait for an opportunity to act, we may be able to achieve extraordinary feats and change the world. If we surrender now, I am afraid that Your Majesty will be humiliated by the hands of the Meng thief. If so, how can I face my ancestors in the future!"

Bolo's words struck at Bumbutai's deepest concerns. She no longer had much hope for the revival of the Qing Dynasty. What she feared now was only the safety of her and Fulin's lives.

If surrendering could allow her and her son to survive, then Bumbutai would not hesitate at all. However, there are only a handful of kings of enemy countries who can have a good end. Bumbutai was not sure whether Meng Jun would let her and her son live a peaceful life.

Seeing that the Queen Mother was uneasy, Bolo struck while the iron was hot and advised: "Queen Mother, the world is full of uncertainties. In the past, Meng Jun was trapped in an isolated city, but he was able to turn danger into safety. Now he is in control of the world. This shows that success and failure often change in an instant. Who knows if today's difficulties will not be opportunities tomorrow? Therefore, I ask the Queen Mother to be patient and let me and others work together to find a way to resist the enemy and wait for a turnaround!"

Bolo spoke in an earnest tone, intending to turn the tide. In his heart, he had a firm belief. Even at this desperate moment, Bolo still wanted to give it a try. Therefore, when the Queen Mother had the idea of surrendering, Bolo immediately opposed it.

At this critical moment of the Qing Dynasty, Bolo's power was greater than Bumbutai's. Therefore, Bolo opposed surrendering. Although Bumbutai felt uneasy, she had to agree with Bolo's opinion. However, Bumbutai secretly asked her confidant to contact Zhao Yongping secretly.

Outside the mountain, after getting more detailed information about the Qing army, Zhao Yongping felt that they were close to completely wiping out the Qing court. The Qing army was now short of food and grass. Zhao Yongping believed that as long as the blockade continued for a period of time, the Qing army would not be able to hold on. At that time, they would only have two options: surrender or fight to break out. No matter which path Bolo chose, it meant that the Qing court, the biggest opponent in the Central Plains, had entered the countdown.

Hundreds of Han officials and their families were driven by Bolo and set out on a journey out of the mountains. The road ahead was long, and they were accompanied by hunger and fatigue. The only thing that kept them going was the desire to live.

Along the way, they encountered wild beasts and diseases. These officials, who had once lived a life of luxury, had never experienced such hardships. Even when they were hiding from place to place with Bolo, they could at least get some food to eat.

Among the fleeing team, Zheng Zhilong actually became the leader of this group of Han officials and their families. After all, Zheng Zhilong had been a pirate when he was young, and was much better than these civil servants who only knew the Four Books and Five Classics.

The guys ate whatever they could catch along the way, and after going through untold hardships, they finally met a scout from the Qian army. The scout saw a group of disheveled people, and he cried as if he were his own family. After asking questions, the scout quickly passed the news of the arrival of a large number of Han officials to Zhao Yongping.

Zhao Yongping was surprised to see this and quickly sent people to meet them. As soon as many people arrived at the Qian army camp, they asked to meet Zhao Yongping. Most of them said that they had written letters of allegiance to the current emperor. Even if they had not written them, they said that they had always been loyal to the Qian Dynasty and that they had no choice but to surrender to the Qing Dynasty.

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Yongping sneered, and made the excuse that he was busy with military affairs. He only promised to provide shelter to everyone. As for more, he could only wait for the emperor to make the final decision.

However, Mao Xiang told the soldiers of Qian Army that there was important matter and he needed to meet Zhao Yongping immediately.

Zhao Yongping didn't want to meet Mao Xiang at first. To him, the name of Mao Xiang, a talented man from the south of the Yangtze River, had long been well-known. However, Mao Xiang asked to meet him again and again, and Zhao Yongping was annoyed enough to agree to meet him.

As soon as they met, Zhao Yongping said in a bad tone: "What's the matter? Do you have to meet me in person?"

Mao Xiang said in a low voice: "I am under the order of Meng Bian, the commander of the Qingluan Guard, to sneak into the imperial court to gather intelligence. Today I want to see the commander, and I only ask that the commander allow me to return home!"

Hearing this, Zhao Yongping was stunned for a moment before he asked, "Do you have any proof?"

Mao Xiang shook his head and said, "We are in the enemy camp, how can we get evidence? However, the truth of this matter can be known with a simple investigation. Qingluan Guard Liu Guquan and Meng Bian can both testify."

Zhao Yongping nodded. This kind of thing should be true. A little investigation will reveal the truth. Thinking of this, Zhao Yongping's tone became kinder and he said, "Mr. Mao wants to return home, of course, that's fine. I will send someone to escort him."

After he finished speaking, Zhao Yongping asked, "Now that Master Mao has returned from the imperial court, do you know what the situation is like?"

Mao Xiang replied: "The enemy court is running out of food and grass. All officials can only eat once a day. There is no shortage of supplies. Moreover, the army is in disarray and many have different ideas. The enemy is at the end of their rope!"